This elective is designed to help students acquire good interviewing skills, a basic knowledge of adolescent physical and psychosocial development, an understanding of adolescent gynecology, basic skills in evaluation and management of sexually transmitted diseases, knowledge of nutrition and eating disorders in teenagers, management of common skin disorders, ability to identify common orthopaedic problems, knowledge of psychosocial disorders common in adolescents, and insight into the common medical complaints and problems in this age group as well as chronic illnesses seen in adolescents. Students will also gain insight into the legal issues and become familiar with the interface between the adolescent health facility, community agencies and institutions.

This elective provides exposure to outpatient management of common pediatric endocrine problems. Included will be growth assessment, Type 1 diabetes, congenital hypothyroidism, acquired hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, precocious puberty, delayed puberty, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, diabetes insipidus, and disorders of calcium regulation. Limited exposure to inpatient consultations is anticipated. Indications for common endocrine laboratory tests and their interpretation will be reviewed. Endocrine aspects of common pediatric clinical situations will be discussed.

The objective of this elective is to familiarize the student with the clinical and microbiologic approach to common pediatric infectious disease problems. The student will become familiar with the different classes of antimicrobial agents and learn when and how to select appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy. The student will participate in the differential diagnosis of pediatric patients presenting with signs and symptoms of an infectious disorder. The student will learn the appropriate laboratory tests and culture techniques for isolation and identification of bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic pathogens. Epidemiology and infection control of specific infectious pathogens will be discussed. This elective is primarily an inpatient consultation rotation involving the teaching hospital and two private hospital services with one weekly outpatient clinic for follow-up and consultation. Opportunities for research projects may be available if desired.

Students will be provided many opportunities to learn a variety of cardiac problems in pediatric patients. The student will observe or participate in any activities that the pediatric cardiologist will perform in the diagnosis and management of children with cardiac diseases. The student will become familiar with the interpretation of normal and abnormal cardiac manifestations and physical findings of cardiac defects in children. The student will observe non-invasive and invasive diagnostic procedures and will be encouraged to interpret electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and cardiac catheterization data. The student will also have an opportunity to observe cardiac surgery and follow the patient post-operatively with the cardiologist. Sufficient physiopathological background will be provided to make the cardiac problems more comprehensible through lectures, case discussions, and review of pathologic specimens.

The purpose of this elective is to provide clinical experience to common problems in hematology and oncology by direct contact with patients. At the end of the rotation, students will be able to learn the essential knowledge in evaluating, diagnosis and managing patients with hematologic and oncologic problems, including those related to anemia, coagulation, lymphomas, leukemias and certain solid tumors, and hematologic and oncologic emergencies. The emphasis will be place on establishing the rapport with patients, logical approach for differential diagnosis, planning the management according to evidence-based medicine for each clinical situation and condition. Students may also participate in diagnosis procedures including lumbar puncture and bone marrow examination.

The purpose of this elective is to familiarize the student with common problems in pediatric nephrology seen in a general pediatric clinic. The student will have the opportunity to interact directly with patients and their caregivers, obtain history and physicals, and discuss common presentations of renal problems in children. It will also allow the student to obtain first hand insight in the medical and psychological problems associated with children who have chronic diseases. The clinics are held every Tuesday. The student will be allowed to have first contact with patients in either the clinic or the hospital. The student will formulate evaluation and treatment plans in conjunction with the pediatric nephrologist. The student will be given many opportunities to participate in all aspects of care of the child with renal problems.

This elective is designed to help students understand drug therapy in the management of adult as well as pediatric patients. During this rotation, the student will present several cases from among inpatients either in the Departments of Internal Medicine or Pediatrics. This will be followed by a discussion of the different medication used. By the end of this rotation, the student should be familiar with pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, indications, contraindications, side effects, dosage, and drug interactions of the most commonly used medications.

This 4-week rotation offers students the opportunity to participate in all aspects of a comprehensive clinical genetics program including clinical consultations and laboratory testing. The student will participate in genetic evaluation/counseling sessions and observe the cytogenetic/molecular testing that ensues from patient interactions. Students are encouraged to select one patient/family of interest and compile a short case presentation or report by the end of their rotation.

This elective is designed to prepare future clinicians to successfully identify and refer cases of suspected child abuse and neglect. Learning sessions will be provided on the following topics: Physical abuse and neglect, Sexual abuse, Multidisciplinary work, and Expert medical testimony. Students will have the opportunity to work with professional mentors within the community from the District Attorney's Office, the Police Department, and Children's Protective Services. The student will observe evaluations of children who are suspected victims of abuse and/or neglect with a pediatrician and the sexual assault nurse examiners.

The purpose of this elective is to familiarize the student with the breadth and depth of Pediatric practice. During this rotation the student will be involved in the evaluation and management of patients being seen for a wide variety of problems to include well-child visits, acute minor illnesses commonly seen in a pediatric practice, longitudinal care for chronic conditions, and subspecialty practice in the ambulatory setting. During this elective, the student will be expected to demonstrate initiative in evaluating and managing the patients they see. They will be challenged to formulate and justify a diagnosis and management plan that is consistent with the age of the patient as well as their chief complaint.

This one month training experience provides the opportunity for a senior medical student to gain in depth experience with the diagnosis and management of asthma, allergy and immunodeficiency. Outpatient clinical encounters are complemented by reading, presentations and projects depending on student's interest. Clinical experience occurs in the outpatient setting at the office of west Texas allergy Midland. Students are expected to understand the role of the primary care practitioner in prevention related to allergy and immunology.

This course will allow students to have an in depth experience focusing on preparation for internship in pediatrics. Students will engage in simulation as well as small group discussions and activities. Students will also complete a standardized hand off curriculum and practice multiple patient management skills (fielding phone calls from nursing staff, addressing acute clinical changes in patients, writing orders and medication prescriptions, working with consultants and other health care team members, etc.). There will also be a focus on wellness and resiliency strategies for residency.

The student will work as a member of a team caring for patients admitted to the pediatric inpatient service. During this elective, the student will have an opportunity to learn to formulate problem lists, management, and follow-up plans for hospitalized pediatric patients. The student assumes the role of extern and takes call with the residents.

This selective/elective is designed to familiarize the student with perinatal-neonatal physiology, high-risk factors associated with neonatal disease pathophysiology diagnosis and management of common neonatal problems, dealing with acute neonatal emergencies, and communicating with parents of high-risk neonates. The students’ primary responsibility will be the total management and supervision of assigned patients. Students will also be expected to participate in daily rounds, night call, weekly discussion group on neonatal-perinatal diseases and presentation of a review on a selected aspect of neonatal-perinatal medicine towards the end of the rotation.

The student will be exposed to many pediatric critical care conditions including sepsis, trauma, ARDS, DKA, asthma, and other potentially life threatening conditions. The student will serve as an acting intern with direct patient care responsibilities. The student will make daily rounds with the attending physician. The student will have an opportunity to learn about and perform procedures such as spinal taps, airway management procedures (including intubations and BVM), A-line, central lines, chest tubes, and catheter placement. Emphasis will be placed on physiology and pathophysiology, recognition of common acute life-threatening illnesses/injuries, and stabilization of the critically-ill pediatric patient.

This course is for fourth year medical students interested in increasing their exposure to pediatric emergency medicine. This course is an elective and does not fulfill requirement for ED/ICU rotation.